Harvesting the raw materials for making bud tea requires meticulous care, ensuring that the young, single-bud tea leaves are not broken or damaged. |
Made from special ingredients
Previously, Thai Nguyen tea was harvested using the traditional technique of one bud and two leaves. This method resulted in higher yields but lower prices (averaging only 150,000 to 500,000 VND/kg). Later, to meet consumer demand, "bud tea" was produced from a very special source of raw materials.
In the early morning, when the tea plantations are still damp with dew, the women climb the hills, selecting the best quality tea plants, picking each tender, green tea bud (one bud) before bringing them back for processing. The raw materials for making "tea buds" are usually harvested early (only 25 days old), but require great care and meticulousness to prevent the buds from being crushed or broken, ensuring they remain intact during harvesting. Because the raw materials are young, one-bud tea plants, it takes a lot of time and meticulous care to harvest enough tea to process a few kilograms of "tea buds."
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Duong, Director of Tan Cuong Mid-Mountain Tea Cooperative, said: "To produce 1 kg of bud tea, it takes 10 kg of raw materials, double the amount needed to process traditional teas. This is one of the reasons why bud tea is more expensive than other types of tea. After harvesting, the raw materials are dried for 30 to 50 minutes before processing. Because the young tea buds are tiny, the processing is very elaborate."
The tea is called "nail tea" because the young tea bud, consisting of only one shoot and not combined with other leaves, takes on a shape resembling a nail after processing.
Mr. Tran Van Thang, from Thang Huong Tea Cooperative in Tan Cuong commune, shared: "To have a pot of tea with the perfect flavor, we tea makers still process it using traditional methods. With this type of tea, the roasting process requires careful temperature control to preserve its natural flavor, ensuring the tea buds don't break, retain their dark green color, and each bud is tightly twisted, with many veins and a glossy finish."
Bud tea has a rich, creamy flavor from the young buds. When brewed, the tea has a bright, clear green color, blended with a distinctive aroma reminiscent of roasted rice.
"Just a small sip, the tip of the tongue feels a mild astringency, but the lingering aftertaste is a sweet, fragrant flavor that slowly spreads throughout the mouth and down the throat," Mr. Tran Van Thang added.
With many years of experience, Thang Huong Tea Cooperative in Tan Cuong commune is a reputable producer of premium tea. |
Xinjiang was the first region to produce high-quality bud tea. However, nowadays, all the key tea-growing areas in the province, such as La Bang, Trai Cai (Dong Hy), Khe Coc (Phu Do), etc., produce bud tea.
According to Mr. To Van Khiem, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Khe Coc Safe Tea Cooperative, whenever a customer places an order, we will produce bud tea. Therefore, the supply of bud tea is no longer as scarce as it was more than a decade ago.
Nevertheless, the price per kilogram of premium tea remains consistently high; typically, only those who need to buy it as a gift or who are truly wealthy and have a passion for tea dare to spend the money to acquire these premium teapots.
A precious gift from nature.
Thai Nguyen's bud tea is a precious gift bestowed upon it by nature. The soil and climate of this land have enabled tea plants, once rooted, to produce buds with a distinctive aroma and rich flavor. From this high-quality source, Thai Nguyen bud tea has become distinct from many other teas in the country.
Therefore, each kilogram of premium tea always commands an exorbitant price, ranging from over 1 million to 5 million VND. In particular, many households in Tan Cuong, Khe Coc, and La Bang have produced a type of premium tea that can be exported worldwide .
Mr. Tran Van Thang, from Thang Huong Tea Cooperative, affirmed: "Pine tea not only brings economic value and has become a cultural symbol of Thai Nguyen province, but it is also very beneficial for health. For a long time, various types of tea, including prince tea, have been very effective in weight loss by supporting the process of burning excess fat before or during exercise."
Thai Nguyen tea also contains high levels of antioxidants and caffeine, which have thermogenic properties that help burn energy and reduce bad cholesterol in the body.
When tea is boiled, high concentrations of tea pigments are released. These include flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that protect the heart muscle, limit cholesterol deposition and atherosclerosis, reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, and lower cardiovascular-related mortality. Simultaneously, they stimulate the central nervous system and respiration, increase heart rate, and boost mood; they also help clear plaque buildup on blood vessel walls.
This precious gift from nature also helps prevent joint diseases. The flavonoids in tea can prevent damage to knee joint cells, thereby preventing diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Bud tea has a dark green color, with each tea bud tightly twisted, veined, and glossy. |
Like other types of tea, green tea contains powerful antioxidants that help improve collagen, maintain skin elasticity, prevent wrinkles, and slow down the aging process; it also cleanses, brightens, and smooths the skin.
More than just a gift for holidays and festivals, the distinctive aroma of roasted rice in this tea also contains polyphenols, which can help slow down tumor growth; inhibit the formation of new blood vessels in tumors, and may even block tumor blood vessels.
Mr. La Tuan Anh, residing at 101 Hue Street (Hanoi), said: "Besides the quality, what I like most about Thai Nguyen's premium tea is the beautiful packaging. The colors and images on the boxes are very eye-catching; just looking at them makes you want to enjoy it. Whenever I feel stressed or pressured at work, I just brew a pot of premium tea, sit and enjoy it with some friends, and I feel much more relaxed and comfortable."
Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/tin-moi/202509/doc-dao-tra-dinh-bba67ef/
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